It doesn't hurt... it's been done many times by accident on these forums with no damage to the strip. Theoretically possible, maybe.... practically though, not so much. And since the strips aren't working anyway it won't hurt. The strip is already effed (apparently) can't eff it anymore than it already is.
Also, none of the suggestions you bring up will fix the issues with the lights not working. Those are to protect the strip, but they don't help when the strip doesn't work.